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Page 303
As it was, John's sky was unclouded until, on the road from Netly Abbey toward Winchester, he saw an entourage bearing his brother's colors. Salisbury! The man of all men whose company he did not desire at this moment. It was not that John feared William would ever betray him or play him false, but William had developed a most irritating affection for Ian de Vipont, and William, from long years of experience, was a most astute smoother of troubled waters. It would be virtually impossible either to goad de Vipont into a genuine insult or attack or even to manufacture a pretended situation in William's presence.
"I thought," John said caustically, as soon as Salisbury had kissed his hand in greeting, "that Ela was at death's door. What do you here?"
Salisbury laughed and looked a little surprised. "You know she recovered in her usual way as soon as I came home. She has been very well since then. She even came with me to de Vipont's wedding."
"You attended the wedding?" John asked as the cortege got under way again.
"Certainly. It was a very grand affair. Pembroke was there, and Oxford and Leicester and Lord Llewelyn rode all the way in from Wales. Your daughter seems very happy in her marriage, John. That was a well-made match. He is a born maker of mischief, but she curbs him very well with a word and a sweet smile."
John was not to be diverted, however. "How dared you attend that wedding! You should rather have stopped it. You knew I intended her for Fulk or Henry."
Now Salisbury stared at his brother purposefully. "I heard you make some jest about them, but I never dreamed you were in earnest. We were all drunk, and the last thing you said was that it would be best if the lady made her own choice and paid a fine. I did not believe you could have meant it. She is a gentle, wellborn dame. Fulk and Henry are I know you need

 
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